South Asia Weekly Report | Vol. X Issue 32

Country Reports

Afghanistan

Taliban targets NATO

A Taliban assault on a NATO convoy left two American service officers dead in Kandahar. On 2 August, the group carried out a suicide bomb attack on the convoy in Kandahar. While the Pentagon confirmed the deaths, the US military in the country refused to say whether their deaths were caused by the Taliban assault. The Pentagon’s decision to release the figures seemed to contradict orders issued two months ago by Army Gen. John Nicholson, the top US commander in Afghanistan, barring information about US combat deaths until days after the incident.

For more information, see: “Pentagon: 2 US service members killed in Afghanistan blast”, The Washington Post

Helmand war intensifies

As intense fighting rages on between the Taliban and Afghan security forces in Helmand province, the Afghan forces have repelled numerous attack in the Gereskh district on August 4. In Gereskh, the group has used heavy equipment, bombs and Humvees to launch their attacks, targeting, bridges, money exchange centres and security personnel. According to the provincial governor’s office, more than 40 Taliban fighters were killed in 12 hours.

US may replace General

US President Donald Trump has raised the possibility of firing Gen John Nicholson in Afghanistan for ‘delay’ in ending the war in Afghanistan. According to the report, Trump told Defence Secretary James Mattis and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Joseph Dunford, a Marine general, should consider firing Army General John Nicholson, commander of US Forces in Afghanistan, for not winning the war.

Bangladesh

Govt accused of lying to UNESCO

Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has accused the government of lying about the UNESCO’s position on the Rampal power plant near the Sundarbans. The party’s Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the claim in a capital Dhaka this week. A joint venture company formed by government owned Bangladesh Power Development Board and India’s NTPC is planning to setup a coal-based power in plant in Rampal, a place close to Sundarbans a UNESCO world heritage site. Environmentalist in Bangladesh are expressing concerns and facing resistance as they fear it might impact the fragile ecosystem of Sundarban. However, after a meeting of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee on June 30, the government claimed the UN organization had ‘moved away’ from its objection to the plant.

Signs pact with IOM

In a major step forward, the government this week signed an agreement with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to strengthen and expand the cooperation between Bangladesh and the UN agency. With the signing of the agreement, Bangladesh becomes the first-member state of IOM under the United Nations (UN) system to sign a full-fledged cooperation agreement granting IOM privileges and immunities similar to those granted to UN specialised agencies.

For more information, see: “B'desh inks cooperation agreement with IOM”, The Financial Express

India

Proxy vote for NRIs?

The government has approved changes in the electoral laws to permit Non-Resident Indians to cast their vote in assembly and Lok Sabha elections overseas. If the proposal gets passed in the parliament, then NRI’s will be able to exercise their vote through “proxy”. However, overseas electors will have to appoint a nominee afresh for each election — one person can act as proxy for only one overseas voter.

War no solution: FM

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj made a forceful speech in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, asserting that war was not a solution to the military standoff with China along the Sikkim border. Patience and bhasha saiyam are very important to resolve the issue. She further asserted that both Russia and the US are supporting India. This reflects India’s success in foreign policy.

World Bank ‘neutral’ on Indus

The World Bank has assured its neutrality and impartiality in helping India and Pakistan find “amicable way forward” during talks over issues related to two of India’s hydroelectricity projects under the Indus Waters Treaty. World Bank’s Vice President for South Asia region, Annette Dixon “We are pleased both parties have confirmed their participation in the meeting hosted by the World Bank in Washington, DC.”

Army chief in Central Asia

Continuing up with its policy of stepping up military and economic ties with energy rich Central Asian Republics, Army chief Gen. Bipin Rawat headed for a five-day visit to Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. General Rawat will meet defence ministers, top officials as well as visit military establishments in the two countries during his visit to discuss ways to further boost defense ties.

Bhutan

Worry on hydro projects

Some people say that Bhutan is an Indian ‘protectorate,’ which is not only an inaccurate assessment, but shows a lack of understanding of the increasingly complex and diversified nature of the relationship between the two countries. The Doklam standoff on territory claimed by Bhutan has gone on for a full 45 days and is expected to go on longer, and the nation is worried even more about the hydro-power projects.

Debt-risk ‘moderate’

In what could allay the concerns over mounting public debt, the World Bank has said Bhutan has a moderate risk of debt distress. The World Bank’s finding is based on debt sustainability analysis (DSA), which is another measure to assess a country’s indebtedness. DSA refers to the ability to pay its debt obligation in the long term without a liquidity problem.

Maldives

Anti-Yameen protests

Four-party Opposition cadres protested in Addu City and other southern atolls on Friday afternoon, calling for President Abdulla Yameen’s resignation and freedom for four MPs detained after ‘defecting’ from the ruling combine. In Male, however, the security forces thwarted Opposition attempts to take out rallies later in the evening.

Myanmar

Govt to hold talks with UNFC

The government will hold talks with the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) in an effort to persuade the ethnic bloc to attend the next session of the Union Peace Conference. The government’s Peace Commission and the UNFC’s Delegation for Political Negotiation (DPN) are set to hold informal talks in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand on August 4.

Rail upgrade soon

The upgrading of the circular railway is going to start in October 2017 said Myanmar Railway deputy general manager U Zaw Lwin, as part of the governent’s efforts to improve public transportation. It will be financed partly by a 24 billion yen (US$ 206 million/K280.77 billion) Japanese official development assistance (ODA), he added.

H1N1 claims 13 lives

“A woman died of the H1N1 virus this morning. That raises the death toll from this strain of influenza to 13,” Burma’s Ministry of Health and Sports announced yesterday. “As of midday on 2 August, 284 people have been hospitalised with respiratory tract infections. Ninety-nine of those were diagnosed with H1N1 and 13 have died of the virus. The fatality rate is 4.5 percent.”

Nepal

Hassle-free investments

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, while inaugurating the Second Responsible Business Summit organised by National Business Initiative (NBI), pointed out to the creation of better investment opportunities in the country. The sustainable development of investment (domestic and foreign) along with the proper implementation of the Constitution with fare elections would lead to a smooth and conducive balance. The investment schemes would also be made hassle-free.

PM to visit India this month

Prime Minister Deuba is all set to embark upon his five-day visit to India on August 23 and meet with his counterpart Narendra Modi and other leaders. The strategic implication of the visit can be deciphered through the types and arenas of discussions to be held. The ongoing projects between the two countries along with the past instability and future prospects would all in due consideration by the two Prime Ministers.

Pakistan

Shahid Abbasi, new PM

Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi swore in his new cabinet on 3 August after the ouster of Nawaz Sharif. The cabinet reshuffle is an attempt to bolster support ahead of general election which are to take place in 2018. The cabinet has almost doubled in size, to 47 members. Ishaq Dar, the finance minister, returns in the same role, despite a criminal investigation ordered against him by the Supreme Court. Another staunch Sharif ally, Khawaja Asif, is to be Foreign Minister after having simultaneously run the ministries of defence and power.

China helping on Indus dams

India’s Minister of State for External Affairs declared on August 3 that Pakistan was building six dams on the Indus river in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with Chinese assistance. The government has issued demarches to both Islamabad and Beijing over the constructions stating that it is in violation of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. V.K Singh, the minister also stated that, “India has a clear and consistent position that these territories are illegally occupied by Pakistan and that any collaborative activity there is in violation of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Imran faces probe?

A political scandal erupted in Pakistan’s opposition party, when Ayesha Gulalai, a National Assembly member announced her intention to quit Imran Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party alleging that he had sent her obscene text messages and had no respect for women. Pakistan PM Abbasi backed moves to form a parliamentary committee to investigate the matter after a group of legislators raised the allegations in the house.

Sri Lanka

Polls when due: President

President Maithiripala Sirisena has reiterated that no one can form a Government ‘without my blessing’. He has also said that attempt to de-stabilise the present Government for National Unity (GNU) will not succeed and general elections will not happen anytime before it’s due in 2020.

For more information, see: “Nobody can form a new govt. without my blessing: President”, Daily Mirror Online, 31 July 2017; “General elections only in 2020: President”, Daily Mirror Online

Debt-free soon: PM

In an obvious reference to the revised Hambantota port deals with China, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that the nation will soon become a ‘debt-free’ State. However, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the huge funds made available from China will go to meet the Government’s regular expenses, and not to repay loans or development funding.

For more information, see: “Stage set for SL to be a debt free State: PM”, Daily Mirror Online